As a parent, I am always looking for ways to keep my child safe. I made sure to baby-proof my house, bought age-appropriate toys to avoid choking hazards, and make sure that their sleep space is clear of danger. Unfortunately one area of safety is often unclear and it is one of the most important – car seat safety.With so many products and conflicting information parents often can’t determine what is safe and age-appropriate. Below some general information to be sure your child is safe when traveling in the car! **Always be sure to check the specifications and manufacturer instructions on your car seat as height/weight/installation requirements vary.
TYPES OF SEATS:
There are generally four types of car seats: infant seat, convertible car seat, high back booster, and booster seat. The following chart taken from www.safercar.gov outlines when children should be in certain car seats.
Infant seat: The infant seat is meant to ONLY be used rear facing. These seats may be installed with a seatbelt, or include a base that the seat clicks into. Check the height and weight requirements of your seat, but often children can remain in the infant seat until a year old.
Convertible car seat: This is normally a larger seat that positions the child in a more upright stance than the infant seat. Some parents find that their infants, as they get larger, are more comfortable in the convertible seat. Just because children are moved to a convertible car seat does not mean they should, or need to, be turned forward facing. Children should remain rear-facing as long as possible (Indiana State law states children must remain rear-facing until the age of one AND 20 lbs). This is until your child outgrows the height/weight specifications for a convertible seat (often around age 3). Just because your child’s legs are bent or touching the back of the seat it’s attached to does not mean he/she should be turned forward facing! Rear facing is the safest position for your child.
High Back Booster: Once your child outgrows the convertible seat, he/she is ready to ride in a high back booster with a five-point harness. High back boosters must be forward facing, so be sure not to move into this seat prematurely. Again, children should remain in the high back booster until he or she reaches the upper limit of the height and weight restrictions of the seat – this may be upwards of 6 or 7 years of age.
Booster: Indiana State law requires all children to use a car seat until the age of 8, often as children get older, the booster is the most appropriate safety seat. A booster helps the seatbelt fit a child most effectively.
Indiana law suggests that children under the age of 13 ride in the back seat of a vehicle. If a vehicle doesn’t have a rear seat, airbags should be disabled and the front seat should be moved back as far as it can go.
CAR SEAT INSTALLATION:
You want to make sure, again, to read the installation instructions of your car seat, but child seats must be secured using either the seat belt or the LATCH system and not move back and forth or forward more than one inch.
**Be sure to consult the (long!) list below of Indianapolis area facilities that provide car seat installation checks! **
Here are a few videos taken from www.safercar.gov with detailed, step by step instructions for installing car seats. For more videos visit their website.
Rear-facing infant seat with a seat belt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bxy_Tf5VKTc
Rear-facing convertible seat with a seat belt:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpzLalKHyoM
High-back booster seat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_IAKCWXGi8
Backless booster seat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dz5Fuff56tY
TAKING A RIDE:
Make certain the plastic retainer clip/chest clip that connects the two shoulder straps is kept at the armpit level. Chest clips that are lower or near the child’s belly button will be less effective or even ineffective in the case of a car crash.
Double check that the shoulder straps are snug to the body. External devices such as strap covers and car seat covers should not be used in order to be ensure proper fit and snugness to the seat. In colder months DO NOT place children in their car seats with a bulky coat, as this prevents straps from being snug to your child’s body. If you are in doubt perform this easy car seat test. Place your child in their car seat with their winter coat, adjusting straps to fit. Then take your child out, remove the coat, and place child back into the seat. Do you notice how much looser the straps are? Shoulder straps should be tight, and touching your child’s body to prevent movement in the seat in the case of a crash. A bulky coat is not safe.
But my child will be cold! Ways to keep your children warm in the car, without compromising their safety:
- Warm car before entering (if safely possible)
- Keep “car blankets” in the car for them to cover up with after getting fastened
- Have children wear their coats backwards over their arms and bodies after being fastened
- Dress children in thin, but warm, fleece jackets or sweatshirts
- Make or purchase a car seat poncho!
CAR SEAT INSTALLATION INSPECTIONS LOCATIONS
Northside:
Carmel Police Department
3 Civic Square
Carmel, IN 46032
Schedule an appointment – 317-571-2500
Zionsville Police Department
1075 Parkway Drive
Zionsville, IN 46077
Schedule an appointment – 317-873-5099
**Spanish speaking service available
Noblesville Police Department
135 S. 9th Street
Noblesville, IN 46034
Schedule an appointment – 317-776-6340
Hamilton County Sheriff Department
18100 Cumberland Rd
Noblesville, IN 46060
Schedule an appointment – 317-773-1872
Boone County Sheriff Department
1905 S. Indianapolis Ave
Lebanon, IN 46052
Schedule an appointment – 765-482-1412
Community Hospital – Madison County Safe Kids
1515 N. Madison Avenue
Anderson, IN 46011
Schedule an appointment – 765-298-5164
Midtown:
Marion County Health Department
5860 Laurel Hall Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46226
Schedule an appointment – 317-221-8970
Marion County Health Department – Room 303
3838 N. Rural Street
Indianapolis, IN 46205
Schedule an appointment – 317-221-3145
IFD/Firefighters Survive Alive! Inc
748 Massachusetts Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Schedule an appointment – 317-327-7956
Automotive Safety Program – Riley Hospital for Children
575 West Drive
Room 004
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Schedule an appointment – 317-274-2977
Eastside:
Hancock Regional Hospital
801 N. State Street
Greenfield, IN 46140
Schedule an appointment – 317-468-4383
Westside:
Clarian Health Partners
10633 Reel Creek Lane
Brownsburg, IN 46112
Schedule an appointment – 317-274-6625
Brownsburg Fire Territory
470 E. Northfield
Brownsburg, IN 46112
Schedule an appointment – 317-852-1190
St. Vincent Hospital
3510 North CR 950 East
Brownsburg, IN 46112
Schedule an appointment – 317-338-5299
Washington Twp/Avon Fire
311 Production Drive
Avon, IN 46123
Schedule an appointment – 317-272-2155
Plainfield Fire Department
4010 Clarks Creek Road
Plainfield, In 46168
Schedule an appointment – 317-839-6939
Southside:
Franciscan St. Francis – Mooresville
1201 E. Hadley Road
Mooresville, IN 46158
Schedule an appointment – 317-83405817
White River Twp Fire Department
850 S. Mulinix Road
Greenwood, IN 46143
Schedule an appointment – 317-888-8337
Southport Police Department
6901 Derbyshire Road
Indianapolis, IN 46227
Schedule an appointment – 317-787-7595
Franciscan St. Francis Health Car Seat Safety Program
8111 S. Emerson Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46237
Schedule an appointment – 317-528-5774
**Interpretation for any language is available.
Greenwood Volunteer Fire Department
155 E. Main Street
Greenwood, IN 46143
Schedule an appointment – 317-882-2599
Bargersville Community Fire Department
89 S. Baldwin Street
Bargersville, IN 46106
Schedule an appointment – 317-422-5187
Franklin Police Department
2801 N. Morton Street
Franklin, IN 46131
Schedule an appointment – 317-736-3670
Major Hospital
150 W. Washington Street
Shelbyville, IN 46176
Schedule an appointment – 317-398-5297
**Most hospitals have a certified car seat safety technician on staff, but be sure to call in advance to find out for sure.
